BWW Reviews: DAMN YANKEES at the Muny

St. Louis is a baseball town, of that there can be no doubt. We live and die with our beloved Cardinals, ever optimistic that if we don't win this year, we'll give it our best shot the next. So, with our national pastime taking it's annual hiatus for the All-Star game, this is the perfect opportunity for fans to check out the best musical ever written about the subject; Damn Yankees. And, don't fret about the weather, even an impressive light show by Mother Nature wasn't enough to stop the show or dampen the audience's spirit on opening night at the Muny.

The plot is simple: Joe Boyd's first love is baseball, much to his wife Meg's chagrin, and when he meets a salesman named Applegate, who's actually the Devil in disguise, he winds up making a pact and selling his soul for the chance to "hit the long ball" for his hapless Senators. He becomes young Joe Hardy, a hard-hitting ball player who's signed by his favorite team, and ends up leading them on a charge to the pennant. But, Mr. Applegate is not convinced that Joe won't some how wiggle off his hook with his soul intact, so he sends temptation in the form of Lola, to seal the deal. What he doesn't count on is Joe's enduring love for his wife Meg.

Eric Kunze is very good as Joe Hardy, imbuing him with a likable quality that really shines through. He's especially good on the poignant numbers "A Man Doesn't Know" and "Near to You", as he ends up rooming with his wife, who's unaware of the physical transformation that's occurred to her husband. Walter Charles contributes nicely as the elder version of Joe, and Linda Mugleston is solid as Joe's faithful wife Meg. Lewis J. Stradlen is calculating and cunning as Applegate, and has a blast with his turn through "Those Were the Good Old Days", as he recalls past calamities. Angie Schworer delivers a sultry performance as Lola, and absolutely sizzles during her signature tune "Whatever Lola Wants". Lee Roy Reams, John Contini, Zoe Vonder Haar, Francis Jue, and Jim Anthony also do splendid work in support.

Paul Blake's direction is fine and focused, and he's aided greatly by Mary MacLeod's lovely recreation of Bob Fosse's original choreography. This is where the show really shines, and MacLeod doesn't disappoint, with a number of stunning displays of dance ending up as the highlights of the evening including: "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO", the above mentioned "Whatever Lola Wants", and "Who's Got the Pain". Steve Gilliam's scenic design and David Landers' lighting also adds immeasurably, and Michael Horsley does sharp work conducting the tuneful score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.

 

 

Damn Yankees continues through July 18, 2010 at the Muny in Forest Park.

 

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.